In December, the American Studies Association, a prominent organization that includes some of the most respected colleges and universities across the United States, took the unprecedented step of boycotting all Israeli academic institutions and scholars from its events and conferences.

Despite calls by numerous college presidents--including those at Harvard and Yale universities--for the ASA to end the boycott against Israel, the ASA's discriminatory policy remains firmly in place. That's unacceptable.

To make matters worse, the ASA continues to receive taxpayer funding for its activities, even though New York students, scholars, and organizations are among those impacted by the ASA's discrimination.

That needs to stop, which is why I recently introduced legislation that would cut-off state aid to any organizations that engage in targeted, discriminatory boycotts of countries like Israel.

Organizations like the ASA have a constitutional right to express their views--but they don't have a right to receive taxpayer dollars when they close their doors to Israel and prevent the type of full and honest debate that makes America great.

I recently passed my legislation in the State Senate, but I need your help to pass my legislation in the State Assembly and put it on Governor Cuomo's desk.

Please sign my petition so we can make it clear that the Empire State will only support organizations that keep their doors--and minds--open to all scholars, especially those from Israel.